Facile synthesis of Co3O4 spheres and their unexpected high specific discharge capacity for Lithium-ion batteries

We report a facile, one-pot hydrothermal synthesis of Co3O4 solid spheres and multi-shelled Co3O4 hollow spheres with a controlled number of movable internal Co3O4 shells. Moreover, the magnetic properties of the multi-shelled Co3O4 hollow spheres were first investigated by the SQUID magnetometer. Interestingly, the Co3O4 solid spheres calcined at 430 degrees C deliver an unexpected high specific discharge capacity of 1976 and 1129 mAh g(-1) for the 17th and 100th cycle at 100 mA g(-1), respectively. In addition, the Co3O4 solid spheres calcined at 430 degrees C also show good capacity retention (i.e., 1129 mAh g(-1) after 100 cycles). The significant performance improvement offers the potential to open up an avenue for next-generation LIBs. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.